Expert: Julia Booth - 11/4/2008

Question
I recently moved to a rural farm setting and had a large open barn structure erected both for storage and a covered play area for my kids.  Three sides of the structure are open, with no closed walls.  At night a barn owl is setting up shop in the rafters of this structure.  There may be more than one.  However, there is no nest or signs of building one.  The problem is the white feces is everywhere.  I don't want to harm the owl, just scare it away from that location.  I have tried using a light and a shrill sound from a smoke detector that is constantly activated.  This is not working.  Can you suggest anything I might try?

Answer
This is breeding and nesting time for owls.

Aside from the feces, it's unlikely to do any structural damage or cause any problems. The only side effect might be your rodent population. In fact, I usually get people asking me how they can attract them.

I personally know of no way to discourage an owl, once it has decided to nest somewhere. It is large and at the top of the bird food chain. I suppose you could continue with the high pitched noises, as Barn Owls are very uniquely sensitive to sound. But if it is there simply for the breeding duration, it will be gone by the spring.

You could call a local wildlife rehabber to possibly relocate him. But I'd have to know where you lived to tell you who to call. Animal control will not care.

Sorry about your situation,

Julia